More Ruminations

Week Two has come and gone, and while I’ve been busily working on the podcast, I’ve skimped badly for the last few months on my day job which is as yeoman blogger. So, after interviewing last week a few notables like Paddy Agnew (author of Forza Italia) and Sheridan Bird (of football 365.com), I’ve been sooper-excited to get back to blogging about my favorite league: Serie A. Well, have we learned anything after two weeks and another useless International break? Juventus are better than we thought, or basically luckier than anyone thought, and Roma have had fast starts and lackluster finishes for their 2 wins. Milan looked a tired side after drawing to Fiorentina on Monday, that’s after beating Sevilla on Friday in the Super Cup between the Champions League and UEFA Cup champs (but that wasn’t saying much as the Spaniards were rocked by the death of Puerta). Inter are, as always Inter, shockingly introspective and in need of some mood altering substances to control the stress. Thankfully they got a bit of azzurrini in a match against Empoli where Nosferatu Cagni looked dapper but angered by his Tuscan brood’s performance, or was that at the ref’s? In the end, I’d watch out for Fiorentina and Palermo who look to make headway in the table soon enough, as Roma go on a month long buzzsaw run through the top of the table. Here’s an extra bit of sum-sumin’. My friend Elisa requested a review of our predictions, as she wants to taunt the lot of us for doubting the mighty Juve I guess. Therefore, here’s a tabulation of our 2007-2008 Serie A predictions we made on our podcast. She wants it in writing. No wonder she likes Empoli’s Cagni.

About Christopher Harris

Founder and publisher of World Soccer Talk, Christopher Harris is the managing editor of the site. He has been interviewed by The New York Times, The Guardian and several other publications. Plus he has made appearances on NPR, BBC World, CBC, BBC Five Live, talkSPORT and beIN SPORT.
Harris, who has lived in Florida since 1984, has supported Swansea City since 1979. He's also an expert on soccer in South Florida, and got engaged during half-time of a MLS game.
Harris launched EPL Talk in 2005, which was rebranded as World Soccer Talk in 2013.
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All three of you think Napoli will be relegated? Are you kidding me? Ahead of the Socialist Republic of Livorno & Siena? Ok, we'll see how that works out. I mean I get not picking Napoli for a Champions League spot (ah, I kill myself) but relegation?

My relegation candidates are the two above and either Parma or Catania though I'd hate to see either go down, really.

I dare not say it's nice to see Juve back but at least Serie A seems to have some semblance of continuity with the three Serie B promoted squads.

I don't see how Bobo can be a flop this year. Prandelli will use him smartly and Vieri seems to have really kept things in check. I mean last year with Atalanta you didn't hear a peep from him while he was rehabilitating. I mean how often can you accuse Bobo of being quiet and 'sticking to his training?' Prandelli is a great coach for him and I don't think he can do anything but help the Viola. This team is going to be Pazzini's and Montelivo's soon enough as it is. I'd say Pazzini might be one of the top 10 strikers right now in Italy.

Keep up the good work, Mando. Nice interview with Sheridan. I can't wait to hear your next episode.

All three of you think Napoli will be relegated? Are you kidding me? Ahead of the Socialist Republic of Livorno & Siena? Ok, we’ll see how that works out. I mean I get not picking Napoli for a Champions League spot (ah, I kill myself) but relegation?

My relegation candidates are the two above and either Parma or Catania though I’d hate to see either go down, really.

I dare not say it’s nice to see Juve back but at least Serie A seems to have some semblance of continuity with the three Serie B promoted squads.

I don’t see how Bobo can be a flop this year. Prandelli will use him smartly and Vieri seems to have really kept things in check. I mean last year with Atalanta you didn’t hear a peep from him while he was rehabilitating. I mean how often can you accuse Bobo of being quiet and ‘sticking to his training?’ Prandelli is a great coach for him and I don’t think he can do anything but help the Viola. This team is going to be Pazzini’s and Montelivo’s soon enough as it is. I’d say Pazzini might be one of the top 10 strikers right now in Italy.

Keep up the good work, Mando. Nice interview with Sheridan. I can’t wait to hear your next episode.

1)Well, if I had to pick over sure there'd be some changes but half the fun of these prediction things is to beat us down mercilessly when we get things wrong. After 2 weeks, Livorno, Siena and Genoa look the worst I've seen, but I'd still be worried if I were Napoli.

2)I don't think Bobo will have a bad year. When we were doing the year end review for our original podcast (forzafutbol.podbean.com), I thought he had one of the best goals in Serie A, plus he's hungry now and getting paid real money unlike the weird contract he had at Atalanta last year. Still, the ladies don't like Bobo (it's personal I think).

4)Look for the Paddy Agnew interview on Tuesday, and we've got some great stuff lined up for October. Plus in December we've got some fan interviews planned. We want to spotlight clubs on the podcast and are looking for volunteers and guest bloggers.

1)Well, if I had to pick over sure there’d be some changes but half the fun of these prediction things is to beat us down mercilessly when we get things wrong. After 2 weeks, Livorno, Siena and Genoa look the worst I’ve seen, but I’d still be worried if I were Napoli.

2)I don’t think Bobo will have a bad year. When we were doing the year end review for our original podcast (forzafutbol.podbean.com), I thought he had one of the best goals in Serie A, plus he’s hungry now and getting paid real money unlike the weird contract he had at Atalanta last year. Still, the ladies don’t like Bobo (it’s personal I think).

4)Look for the Paddy Agnew interview on Tuesday, and we’ve got some great stuff lined up for October. Plus in December we’ve got some fan interviews planned. We want to spotlight clubs on the podcast and are looking for volunteers and guest bloggers.

I gree with Joe that Vieri will have a fine season with us. There is no pressure on him to be *the guy* and his attitude has received rave reviews from everyone associated with the club. Anyone who saw the AC Milan match can see that he is clearly still not in shape but, once he is, he will receive plenty of opportunities and score some important goals for us.

I also think that the fact that Napoli did *not* have a robust transfer season is, albeit unintentionally, the reason why they should avoid relegation. Too much turnover in a club's first season back in the top flight is almost always a mistake. They have good continuity and have brought in a few very exciting attacking players and they should have some very entertaining matches.

I gree with Joe that Vieri will have a fine season with us. There is no pressure on him to be *the guy* and his attitude has received rave reviews from everyone associated with the club. Anyone who saw the AC Milan match can see that he is clearly still not in shape but, once he is, he will receive plenty of opportunities and score some important goals for us.

I also think that the fact that Napoli did *not* have a robust transfer season is, albeit unintentionally, the reason why they should avoid relegation. Too much turnover in a club’s first season back in the top flight is almost always a mistake. They have good continuity and have brought in a few very exciting attacking players and they should have some very entertaining matches.

It's a postcard. I tried putting in photos I took from my most recent trip to Napoli but they didn't seem to come out too well so I chose that one. I'd put up a picture of my ugly mug, but you know, I don't need to give people any more reasons to dismiss what I say.

It’s a postcard. I tried putting in photos I took from my most recent trip to Napoli but they didn’t seem to come out too well so I chose that one. I’d put up a picture of my ugly mug, but you know, I don’t need to give people any more reasons to dismiss what I say.